U.S. patent number 9,423,167 [Application Number 14/462,595] was granted by the patent office on 2016-08-23 for refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser having an improved ice chute air seal.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Whirlpool Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Whirlpool Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter.
United States Patent |
9,423,167 |
Bowen , et al. |
August 23, 2016 |
Refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser having an improved ice
chute air seal
Abstract
A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to
sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is
closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing
tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing
agent to increase life of the seal.
Inventors: |
Bowen; Michael A. (Amana,
IA), Kopf; Bruce A. (Amana, IA), Martin; Dean A.
(Amana, IA), Rotter; Chad J. (Amana, IA), Leimkuehler;
Scott W. (Swisher, IA), Ertz; Lawrence J. (Amana,
IA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool Corporation |
Benton Harbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Whirlpool Corporation (Benton
Harbor, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
36969360 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/462,595 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140352347 A1 |
Dec 4, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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13185232 |
Jul 18, 2011 |
8844311 |
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11421831 |
Jul 16, 2011 |
7980089 |
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11140096 |
Mar 11, 2008 |
7340914 |
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11028422 |
Sep 2, 2008 |
7418830 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C
5/18 (20130101); F25D 23/028 (20130101); F25D
23/126 (20130101); F25D 31/002 (20130101); F25C
5/22 (20180101); F25C 5/20 (20180101); F25D
27/00 (20130101); F25D 2327/001 (20130101); F25D
2323/021 (20130101); F25D 2500/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F25C
5/00 (20060101); F25D 31/00 (20060101); F25C
5/18 (20060101); F25D 23/12 (20060101); F25D
27/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;62/344,340,389 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ali; Mohammad M
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/185,232 filed Jul. 18, 2011, which is a
Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/421,831 filed Jun. 2, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,089, which
is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/140,096 filed May 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,340,914, issued
Mar. 11, 2008, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/028,422 filed Jan. 3, 2005, entitled REFRIGERATOR WITH
FORWARD PROJECTING DISPENSER, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,418,830 issued on
Sep. 2, 2008, in which all applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
Claims
We claim:
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door attached to the
cabinet, the door having a front panel and an inner liner; an
opening through the liner for receiving ice from an ice storage
area; an ice chute in the door in operable connection with the
opening for transporting ice received through the opening to an ice
receiving area; and an ice dispenser attached to the door and
engaging the ice chute, and terminating in an outlet for
discharging ice into a container positioned in the ice receiving
area beneath the outlet; a food storage area on the inner liner
directly behind the ice receiving area; and a seal between the ice
storage area and the ice chute; wherein the inner liner has a liner
surface surrounding an upper portion of the chute that faces
generally upwardly and towards the ice storage area, and wherein
the ice storage area has an outer wall with a wall surface that
faces generally downwardly and towards the door liner, and wherein
the liner surface and the wall surface have complementary
slopes.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the seal is affixed to the
liner and is in a wiping relation to the storage area wall
surface.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the seal is impregnated
with a lubricant.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the ice receiving area
includes an upwardly and rearwardly sloped back wall beneath the
outlet to define a recess for receiving the container.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, further comprising a water
dispenser with an outlet in the ice dispenser and a drip tray
attached to the door beneath the water outlet.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the drip tray is
removable.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the drip tray is
retractable.
8. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door attached to the
cabinet; an ice compartment within the cabinet containing an ice
maker for making ice; an ice dispenser including an ice chute
through the door, the ice chute in communication to selectively
receive ice from the ice compartment at an upper portion of the ice
chute, the ice chute terminating at a lower portion of the ice
chute above an ice receiving area outside the door; and a
compressible seal to seal between the upper portion of the ice
chute and the ice compartment to impede air from escaping the ice
compartment when the door is in a closed position; wherein the door
has an inner liner with a liner surface surrounding the upper
portion of the chute that faces generally upwardly and towards the
ice compartment, and wherein the ice compartment has an outer wall
with a wall surface that faces generally downwardly and towards the
liner surface, and wherein the liner surface and the wall surface
have complementary slopes.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, further comprising a food storage
area on the inner liner directly behind the ice receiving area.
10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the seal is affixed to the
liner and is in a wiping relation to the ice compartment wall
surface.
11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the seal is impregnated
with a lubricant to reduce wear caused by wiping of the seal during
opening and closing of the door.
12. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a door attached to the
cabinet for movement between an open position to allow access to a
refrigerated compartment in the cabinet and a closes position to
close the refrigerated compartment, the door including a door
liner; an ice compartment within the refrigerated compartment for
making and storing ice; an ice maker in the ice compartment; a
storage bin in the ice compartment that stores ice made by the ice
maker; the ice compartment having a cover with a sloped surface
through which a downwardly disposed opening is provided, the sloped
surface facing generally downwardly and towards the door; an ice
outlet chute in the door having an upper portion in communication
with the ice storage bin through the ice compartment opening and a
lower portion in communication with a dispensing area external to
the door to dispense ice from the storage bin to the dispensing
area when the door is closed, wherein the upper portion of the ice
outlet chute has an inclined surface on the door that faces
generally upwardly and towards the ice compartment at a
complementary slope to the sloped surface of the ice compartment;
and a compressible seal between the inclined surface on the door
liner and the sloped surface of the ice compartment to cover seal
the ice outlet chute and the ice compartment from air in the
refrigerated compartment when the door is in the closed
position.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising a food storage
area on the door liner directly behind the dispensing area.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the compressible seal is
affixed to the door and is in a wiping relation to the sloped
surface of the ice compartment as the door is opened and
closed.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the seal is impregnated
with a lubricant to reduce wear due to wiping of the seal during
opening and closing of the door.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to refrigerators and more
particularly to ice and water dispensers located on the outer
surfaces of the doors of refrigerators. As is well known, a
refrigerator may be provided with an ice dispenser and a water
dispenser. Such dispensers typically are mounted in a front panel
of a refrigerator door. In a side-by-side refrigerator, the
dispenser generally is located in the freezer compartment door.
Each dispenser typically has a lever, actuator button, or actuator
pad disposed at the rear most surface of the housing into which a
glass or cup can be inserted for filling. A glass may be pressed
against the actuation button, pad, or lever, thus activating the
dispensing of water or ice cubes, as desired.
Typically, the dispenser has a cavity that is inset into a door of
the refrigerator. The inset cavity of the dispenser takes up
valuable storage space within the inner compartment. This storage
space is further compromised when an actuator and other circuitry
is located at the rear side of the dispenser cavity.
Additionally, dispensers located within a door compartment have a
cavity which receives only limited size beverage containers. For
example, a typical water and ice dispenser can receive a beverage
glass that holds 12-16 ounces of fluids but not a thermos, cooler,
or large capacity beverage glass such as a 48-ounce or 64-ounce
cup.
Dispensers typically have another problem with showering the user
with ice chips and water spray when the dispenser is being used.
This is mostly due to the fact that an ice chute and water tube are
located out of sight up above the control panel for the dispenser
and therefore a user cannot see exactly where to locate the
container which is to be filled. Then, ice chips or water spray
splatters about. Thus, it is desirable to have a dispenser which
reduces splattering ice chips and water and helps the user to
determine proper location of the container for dispensing.
Another problem with typical dispensers is that the ice chute door
is typically opened and closed with an electrical solenoid. The
solenoid is usually relatively noisy, creating an electric buzz or
snap sound as the solenoid actuates, causing the dispenser door to
open or close. Additionally, solenoids have a relatively high power
consumption. Therefore, it is desirable to have an ice chute door
which is operable with less power consumption, and less noise.
A further problem with typical dispensers is that they leak air
between the ice box and the ice chute. This is mostly because of
manufacturing variances in parts. This in turn causes cold air
loss, and moisture/ice buildup. Therefore, it is desirable to
reduce air leak between the ice chute and the ice box.
Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision
of an improved water and ice dispenser for a refrigerator.
Accordingly, one feature or advantage of the present invention is
the provision of an ice and water dispenser that allows for
increased storage capacity behind the ice and water dispenser.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is the
provision of an ice and water dispenser that accommodates large
cups, water bottles, pitchers, thermoses, coolers, etc.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is the
provision of an ice and water dispenser which helps a user to
locate the receiving container in the proper location and also
helps to reduce splatter or spray of ice chips or water on the
user.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is the
provision of an ice and water dispenser that has a lower power
consumption and a quieter ice chute door.
Another feature or advantage of the current invention is reduced
air leak between the ice chute and the ice box.
One or more of these or other features or advantages will become
apparent from the following specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards a refrigerator with a
forward projecting ice and water dispenser attached to the front
panel of a refrigerator door. In general, the door of the invention
includes an outer door pan, an inner door liner, an ice chute
extending through the door, and a dispenser engaging the ice chute.
The refrigerator door of the present invention has an outer door
cavity and an inner liner cavity.
One feature of the present invention is an ice chute that is in
both the liner cavity and the outer door cavity. This positioning
of the ice chute permits the dispenser to be placed forward the
front panel of the door to receive ice from the ice chute.
A further feature of the present invention is a more efficient
utilization of storage space upon the inner liner. The forward
projecting dispenser makes unnecessary a deep dispenser cavity in
both the outer door and the inner liner which necessitates a deep
inner liner cavity to accommodate the dispenser protruding into the
door.
A further feature of the invention is the ability to permit
oversized cups, water bottles, pitchers, coolers, thermoses, etc.
being filled more easily as they do not need to fit within a cavity
protruding into the refrigerator door. One problem typically
encountered with filling oversized containers is a drip tray
interfering with the positioning of the oversized container
underneath the ice and/or water dispenser. Therefore, a feature of
the present invention is a retractable drip pan adjacent the front
panel of the refrigerator door or removable from the front panel.
Additionally, the drip tray may be independent the dispenser and
attached by a magnet or other attachment means which may be moved
when oversize containers are being filled.
A further feature of the invention is a dispenser with a retracting
ledge moveable between a first position and a second position which
can be used for holding or supporting containers in shallow
dispensers. The retracting ledge can then be moved out of the way
when not needed.
A further feature of the present invention is a dispenser with an
angled back side. Having an angled back side, allows more storage
space inside the refrigerator compartment along the door.
A further feature of the present invention is a lighted dispenser
target ring extending at least partially around the water tube and
the ice chute. The lighted dispenser target ring allows a user a
target area for locating the receiving container during dispensing
and additionally helps to block oversprayed water or ice chips.
A further feature of the present invention is an ice and water
dispenser with an ice chute door openable with an electric motor.
The electric motor rotates a cam which in turn flips open the ice
chute door. This allows for quieter opening of the ice chute door
and less power consumption during opening of the ice chute door
over standard solenoid operated ice chute doors.
A further feature of the invention is an ice chute air seal between
the ice chute and the ice box. This reduces cold air loss from the
ice box and therefore reduces moisture/ice buildup.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more readily apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in
conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer
to corresponding parts in the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a refrigerator having a forward
projecting dispenser with a drip pan included with the dispenser
housing.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the freezer door of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a door using a forward
projecting dispenser.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a door with a forward projecting
dispenser of the present invention with a drip pan independent and
removable from the dispenser housing.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the door of FIG. 5 with the drip pan
removed.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a door with a forward projecting
dispenser without a dispenser cavity.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the door of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.
7.
FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a
dispenser in a refrigerator door.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view looking upwardly from a front side of
a dispenser up into the dispensing cavity and the ice chute.
FIG. 12 is one embodiment of an ice chute actuator assembly.
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the actuator assembly of FIG.
12.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an inside of a refrigerator door
showing an ice chute air seal.
FIG. 14A is a side view of a refrigerator showing the ice chute air
seal.
FIG. 15 is a front view of a prior art ice and water dispenser.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the prior art ice and water dispenser of
FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.
15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will be described as it applies to its
preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention
be limited to the preferred embodiment. It is intended that the
invention cover all modifications and alternatives that may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional refrigerator 10 is shown,
refrigerator 10 being of the side-by-side design, wherein
refrigerator 10 has a refrigeration compartment sealed by a
refrigerator door 12 and a freezer compartment sealed by a freezer
door 14. One of the doors 12, 14 may be provided with a dispenser
16, generally including a housing 18 defining a dispensing or ice
receiving area 22 for an ice chute 20 and water tube 34.
Dispenser 16 may utilize ice and/or water selection buttons 28 and
an actuator 29. The user may select water and/or the type of ice to
be dispensed such as ice cubes or crushed ice using buttons 28. The
user selects and dispenses ice and water by pressing actuator
button 29 that actuates delivery of ice through the ice chute 20
and/or water through the water tube 34.
It should be noted that the dispenser 16 could also be found in
other types of refrigerators, other than those of side-by-side
construction, and thus the dispenser of the present invention, as
will hereinafter be described in greater detail, can similarly be
used in both refrigerators of side-by-side design, as well as other
designs.
The refrigerator 10 has handles 26 extending outward. The dispenser
16 extends outward from the door 14. As shown in FIG. 2 the
dispenser may extend approximately level with the handles 26.
Alternatively, the dispenser may extend beyond the handle
especially when no dispensing cavity 22 is provided for and as
illustrated in FIG. 8.
FIG. 2 illustrates the side of the ice and water dispenser 16.
Dispenser housing 18 frames the control panel 24, the dispensing
area 22, and a catch tray or drip pan 32. The control panel 24 and
drip pan 32 extend forward the front panel 46 of the outer door
panel.
As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the forward projecting dispenser 16
permits the ice chute 20 to be the only structure within an inner
liner cavity 44. In contrast, the prior art as seen in FIGS. 10-12
require an inner liner cavity 44A to not only accommodate an ice
chute but also the dispenser cavity. Accordingly, the forward
projecting dispenser permits a space 40 to be available for a shelf
42. This extra space 40 is an 11-inch to 12-inch area below the ice
chute 20.
In general, the doors, 12, 14 include an outer door pan 30 and an
inner liner 38. The outer door pan 30 is formed of sheet metal and
includes a front panel portion 46. The door pan 30 can also be
constructed of plastic or a combination of metal and plastic. The
sheet metal is bent so as to form a top, bottom and opposing side
wall portions 48. Typically, the piece of sheet metal is further
bent to define a plurality of flange portions (not shown). The
inner door liner 38 is thermal formed but could also be injection
molded. In any event, inner door liner 38 includes a portion which
defines the inner liner cavity. The inner liner 38 attaches to the
outer door pan 30 typically at the plurality of flange portions.
Insulation foam is then filled into the void defined by the outer
door cavity 50 and the inner liner cavity 44.
As seen in FIG. 4, the ice chute 20 extends through both the liner
cavity 44 and the outer door cavity 50. Storage space is maximized
by having the liner cavity 44 partially defined by an angled side
36 that follows the diagonally mounted ice chute 20. This is
different than the prior art as seen in FIG. 12 which only has the
ice chute 20 extending through the liner cavity 44.
As further seen in FIG. 4, the forward projecting dispenser 16
permits a less deep ice dispenser cavity 22. As seen in FIGS. 4, 9,
and 10 the dispenser cavity 22 may have an angled back side or
sloped dispensing cavity 23 protruding into the outer door cavity
portion of the outer door pan 30. A drip pan 32 may be placed on
the front panel 46 by an attachment such as screws or may be
magnetically attached so that it may be removed as seen in FIGS. 5
and 6. The drip pan 32 may be removed whenever larger containers or
oversized containers are desired to be filled.
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an ice and water dispenser 16 with
an angled backside or sloped dispensing cavity 23. The sloped
dispensing cavity 23 is preferably projected no more than one inch
from the door pan 30. While other depth of projections are also
within the scope of the invention, deeper projections reduce
storage space inside the refrigerator door. The back slope of the
cavity 23 is angled upward and inward with respect to an inside of
the refrigerator to minimize the space required by the dispensing
cavity 22. This configuration maximizes space available inside of
the fresh food or freezer compartment. Thus, the shallow dispensing
cavity 23 allows for extra space 40 and therefore an extra shelf or
storage bin 42 in the door.
As seen in FIGS. 7-9, an alternate embodiment of the forward
projecting dispenser 16 does not utilize a dispensing cavity 22.
The dispenser 16 extends forward from the front panel 46 a distance
beyond the handle 26 to accommodate large and oversized containers.
Additionally, a depressible actuator 29A is provided that is pushed
inwardly to actuate the dispensing of ice and/or water. The
actuator 29A doubles as a drip pan 32 and catches excess water when
it is released for return back into place under the water tube 34.
The actuator 29A is removable for cleaning.
The prior art, as seen in FIGS. 15-17, only shows the ice chute 20
in the inner liner 38 portion and specifically a liner cavity 44.
The liner cavity is elongated to insulate the dispenser cavity 22B.
The actuator 29B and related circuitry is at the rear of the cavity
22B. Also the drip pan 32B is within the cavity 22B. As seen most
clearly in FIG. 16, the dispenser 16B is approximately flush with
front panel 46 as opposed to forward projecting.
The dispenser 16 includes a retractable ledge 33, as best seen in
FIG. 10. The ledge 33 is movable between an extended position shown
in FIG. 10 wherein the front edge is positioned outwardly from the
front surface of the door 12 and a retracted position in FIG. 11
wherein the front edge is flush with the front surface of the door
12. The ledge 33 is configured as a tray drip pan 32 but does not
have to be. The retracting ledge 33 can be temporarily extended
from the shallow main dispenser area 22 to accommodate setting a
glass, a pitcher, or other container during ice or water
dispensing.
The retracting ledge 33 can be designed to pull out, fold up, fold
down, or even be removable. As seen in FIG. 10, the retracting
ledge 33 slides in a groove 31. It is preferred that the retracting
ledge 33 have a stop (not shown) which prevents the retracting
ledge 33 from being easily removed from the dispensing cavity 22.
The groove 31 additionally helps support the retracting ledge 33
when the ledge 33 is supporting a glass, pitcher, or other
container during dispensing. The ledge 33 is most useful in
dispensers having a shallow dispensing area 22, however, the ledge
33 can also be used in a dispenser 16 having a deeper dispensing
area 22.
As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the dispenser 16 has a lighted
dispenser target 60. The lighted dispenser target 60 is preferably
a light pipe which gathers light from the cavity light, such as
light emitting diodes 62, to provide a lighted ring, or similar
device, as a target for a glass in the dispenser cavity 22. A
portion of the light provided to the cavity 22 is captured by a
portion of the lighted dispenser target 60 which directs the light
around the opening for ice and water into the cavity 22. The
lighted dispenser target 60 also helps to contain ice chips and
spray from the user of the dispenser 16. Since the lighted
dispenser target 60 is capturing light from the dispenser light
source 62, it is preferred to be of a transparent or at least
translucent material. The shape of the lighted target dispenser 60
is shown as a rounded arc. This shape works best for containing
water spray and ice chips, however, any shape can be used. As best
seen in FIG. 11, the lighted dispenser extends downwardly around or
in front of target 60 and the water tube 34 and ice chute 20 so as
to protect a user from water or ice spray.
Prior art dispensers have used lighted actuator arms which provide
a target for placement of a glass during use of the dispenser 16.
However, a lighted actuator arm does nothing to help reduce water
spray or ice chip splatter.
As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the dispenser 16 has a motorized
ice chute door assembly 70. FIG. 12 is a perspective view from the
back and side of the assembly 70. FIG. 13 is an exploded view from
the top/front/side of the assembly 70. A low current draw motor 82
is used to move the ice chute door 21. The ice chute door 21
substantially closes off the ice chute 20 when not dispensing ice
so as to reduce cold air loss from the ice making or storage
compartment. The motor 82 opens the ice chute door 21 using a cam
88. A position switch 92 is provided to register the ice chute door
21 position as "open" or "closed". An ice chute door hinge 74 and
spring 76 biases the ice chute door 21 to a closed position with
respect to the ice chute 20. The motorized ice chute door assembly
70 replaces the commonly used solenoid-opened-ice chute door.
In the preferred operation, the user operates the motorized ice
chute door assembly 70 by pressing a glass, pitcher, or other
similar container against an actuator 78 or other switch type
device. The actuator 78 is shown to be an arm in FIG. 10, but may
alternately be a pad, button, or other mechanism. The actuator 78
can activate an ice or water dispenser, along with the opening of
the ice chute door 21.
In one embodiment, the actuator 78 applies pressure against an
actuator switch 80. This requires little force from a user and thus
is capable of allowing soft type containers, such as a Styrofoam
cup, to be used with the dispenser 16. The actuator switch 80
closes an electrical circuit which powers the motor 82. The motor
82 rotates a motor gear 84 attached to the shaft of the motor 82.
The motor gear 84, in turn, rotates a worm gear 86.
The worm gear 86 mates with gears on a cam 88. The cam 88 thus
rotates about a cam shaft 89 and is followed by a cam follower 90.
The cam follower 90 follows the peaks and valleys on the cam 80 and
is operatively connected to the ice chute door 21. The ice chute
door 21 pivots along the hinge 74 with the cam follower 90 to open
the ice chute 20. Other configurations or gear trains can be used
so long as a motor drives them.
It is preferred that the cam 88 be constructed so that as the cam
follower 90 follows the peaks and valleys on the cam 88 so that the
ice chute door 21 will open and close with the peaks and valleys of
the cam 88. It is further preferred, but not necessary, that the
cam 88 be constructed with a cam notch 91 such that the cam
follower 90 locks into place so as to hold the ice chute door 21
open until the container is disengaged from the actuator arm 78,
afterwhich the ice chute door 21 automatically closes. It is
preferred that the motorized ice chute door assembly 70 be
constructed to enclose the motor 82 with a motor housing cover
94.
As the ice chute door 21 opens, it comes in contact with the
position switch 92, which instructs the motor 82 to stop turning
when the door reaches the proper location. A delay is provided in
the control system of the refrigerator 10 using an intelligent
controller, which then permits the motor 82 to release force upon
the motor shaft, which in turn, permits the ice chute door spring
76 to close the ice chute door 21.
The motorized chute extension door assembly 70 has advantages over
a standard solenoid which is used in many dispensers. Some of the
benefits include reduced size, better control, permitting a spring
biased chute door 21, lower power consumption, reduced electrical
noise, and no door snap sound upon opening as with a solenoid.
However, the primary benefit of a motorized ice chute door assembly
70 is reduced power consumption over a standard solenoid opened
door at approximately 2 watts versus 20 watts.
The motorized ice chute door assembly 70 contemplated by this
invention, can use any number of gears and/or cams so long as a
motor is used for opening the ice chute door 21.
The dispenser 16 of the current invention has an ice chute air seal
100, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 14A. The seal 100 is preferred to be
made of a flexible material compound including components such as
PVC (polyvinyl chloride), TPV (thermoplastic vulcanizate), MPR
(melt-processable rubber), TPU (thermoplastic urethane) or TPE
(thermoplastic elastomer). Seal 100 can be made of any material
providing compression and expansion properties in a form suitable
for molding to a mating surface or extrusion in the alternate
method of construction. The flexible material compound of which
seal 100 is comprised may include additive such as Kemamide
(stearyl erucamide) or PTFE (polytetraflouroethylene) to reduce the
coefficient of friction and therefore improve wear resistance at
the interface 100 of the seal and ice-box cover 106, or at the
interface of the seal 100 and door liner 38 in an alternate method
of construction.
In the present invention, the seal 100 is comprised of a flexible
material over-molded upon a rigid plate (not shown) having a wand
type cross-section and attached to the inner door liner 38. The
seal 100 may also be comprised of a flexible, extruded wand or
multi-cavitied bellows profile and attached by means of a
relatively rigid plate (not shown), or by other means to the inner
door liner 38. Alternatively, the seal 100 may be attached to the
ice compartment 106 cover. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the seal 100 is preferred to be attached to the door
liner 38 by means of the rigid plate snapping to the top portion of
the ice chute 102 with a friction fit. However, the seal 100 may
also be attached directly to the inner door liner 38.
The height of the seal 100 is sufficient to reduce the sensitivity
of the overall design, with regard to the occurrence of an air leak
at the breakable junction 104 between the dispenser 16 and an ice
compartment 106 located inside the refrigerator 10, due to
manufacturing variation.
In another embodiment of the seal 100, springs (not shown) can
supply a resistance force around pegs (not shown) which support a
plate (not shown) inserted into the door liner 38. The pegs allow
for the swiping motion incurred during opening and closing of the
refrigerator door 12, without displacing the seal 100. The seal 100
can comprise multiple parts, or can be a single part that stays in
place with a friction fit.
The purpose of the seal 100 is to seal against air leakage at the
breakable junction 104. The door 21 can be opened and closed to
gain access to the fresh food compartment 12 or freezer compartment
14 inside the refrigerator 10. The ice compartment temperature is
normally lower than the fresh food compartment temperature and at a
higher pressure. The seal100, located around a top portion of the
ice chute 102, creates a seal between the ice compartment or ice
storage area 108 which includes a bottom and outer walls to contain
ice, and the ice chute 20 in order to prevent air from escaping the
ice compartment and causing temperature fluctuations, moisture
and/or frost buildup. The ice chute air seal 100 can be of any
shape or size and is preferred to be replaceable. However, the
sea1100 should seal the air gap between the ice chute 20 and the
ice compartment 106.
Based on the above, it should be readily recognized that the
forward projecting dispenser 16 provides an arrangement for
dispensing ice and water that enables the door 12 to include
additional internal storage space, create the potential for filling
oversized containers, reduce power consumption during ice
dispensing, and reduce air leakage between the ice chute and the
ice compartment more readily than the prior art. Although described
with respect to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it
should be readily apparent that various changes and/or
modifications can be made to the invention without departing from
the spirit thereof. In general, the invention is only intended to
be limited by the scope of the following claims.
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